Our Team

Experienced. Diverse. Collaborative. Successful. These are just a few of the ways to describe our team. Together, our staff provides a new and better way to serve clients, and individually we each contribute to this mission in our own way. When you choose Sapientia, you may work with an individual, but you benefit from the collective wisdom of our team.

Ken has practiced in the Twin Cities his entire career. He represents all sides in bankruptcy proceedings and has been debtor’s counsel on some of the most significant Chapter 11 filings in Minnesota over the past 30 years. He also represents creditors’ committees and secured and unsecured creditors in bankruptcy proceedings, and he has litigated adversary actions in bankruptcy courts around the country.

Ken is a frequent lecturer and writer on topics involving the bankruptcy rights of individuals and businesses. He is licensed in Minnesota, Arizona and numerous federal and bankruptcy Courts around the region and the country, including the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.

Ken is one of only six attorneys in Minnesota to be certified in business bankruptcy law by the American Board of Certification, a certification he has held since the year 2000. In addition, Ken has been voted as a “Superlawyer” by his peers (only 5% of all attorneys are so designated) for eleven years in a row and for 14 of the past 15 years.

“Section 522(o): Can You Change the Law if You Leave the Language the Same?” – American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) Committee News, April 2008

Numerous other articles and CLE outlines authored over the years on insurance law, landlord-tenant law and bankruptcy law

Education
J.D., University of Minnesota Law School (1983)
Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, Moorhead State University (1980)

Court Admissions
State of Minnesota, 1983
State of Arizona, 2015
District of Minnesota, 1983
Multiple Other District Courts
Eighth Circuit, 1983
United States Supreme Court, 1986
United States Tax Court, 1996

Honors/Distinctions

“Super Lawyer” by Law & Politics (2006 — 2017)

Personal Favorite travel spot: Paris Favorite sport: Horse Racing, if that is a sport Theme song: Whatever Gets You Through the Night Favorite part of being a lawyer: Improving the lives of my clientsFavorite charity: My ChurchLittle known fact: One of my brothers was born a year and a day before me and another was born a year and a day after me.

Lorenz (Larry) Fett

Lorenz started at Sapientia in April 2011, practicing in civil litigation with an emphasis on civil rights, privacy and employment law. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants in federal and state courts, as well as some tribal courts. His reason for joining Sapientia? He was particularly attracted to the talent and personalities of Sapientia’s legal team, and hopes he lives up to the implied wisdom of the name and the great legal crew.

Lorenz (or “Larry”) began his career as a litigator in 1977 in Marshalltown, Iowa, and enjoyed the baptism by fire experienced by those who find themselves a few months from law school immediately trying cases before not one but two judges who would later be appointed to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. He heeded Greeley’s admonition and moved from Iowa to California, practicing at a noted construction defect firm in San Diego, and from there moved back to the Midwest, practicing with the Minneapolis law firms of Lockridge Grindal Nauen, Parsinen Kaplan Rosberg & Gotlieb, and Holstein Law Group. He is admitted to practice in Minnesota, Iowa, California, the Eighth and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeal, the U.S. Supreme Court, and select tribal courts in Minnesota.

Larry took a writer’s retreat in 2002 to the extreme, and began writing fiction and installing wood floors. Since then, he received several awards, including Honorable Mention in the 2002–2003 Loft Mentor Series; second place in the 2003 SASE/Ache Literary Magazine Annual Fiction Contest for the short story “in the i of my dog” (yes, he does have a dog); and Honorable Mention in the 2004 Writer’s Digest 73rd Annual Writing Competition (over 18,000 entries) for the short story “The Speckled Tongue.”

Larry was raised on a farm and still farms in both Iowa and Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1973, with a B.A. in English; received his law degree, with distinction, from the University of Iowa in 1976; and now lives in St. Paul with his dog Scooter, his mother Bonnie Belle, and his daughter Cora Belle.

Education
J.D., With Distinction, University of Iowa College of Law (1976)
B.A., English, University of Iowa (1973)

Court Admissions
State of Minnesota
State of Iowa
State of California
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

Personal Favorite travel spot: Any place between here and the Rockies, especially northwestern Nebraska (don’t laugh if you’ve never been there!) Favorite sport: Any kind of racing. Theme song: The Unclouded Day Favorite part of being a lawyer: Helping my client win the lawsuit, of course, but also taking that stress out of my client’s life, and hopefully finding that one case that really makes a difference.Favorite Charity or Non-Profit: ChurchFriends Describe Me As: Intense, Technical, and AnalyticalFavorite Quote: “Go west, young man, go west!”(Previously) Little Known Fact: I like horses and rode every day when I was younger and had a horse, a standardbred bay I bought injured off the track and kept on our farm to herd cattle and scare the daylights out of me and my friends. With him I raced the neighboring quarter horses and he was never beaten in any distance over a half mile. I named him Tony after my Uncle, who was a bouncer and a schoolteacher.

Sonia Miller-Van Oort

Sonia Miller-Van Oort is a highly respected and accomplished litigation attorney. She has worked on a variety of litigation involving commercial disputes, product liability cases, non-competition and non-solicitation matters, breach-of-contract cases, invasion-of-privacy matters, franchise disputes, tortious interference claims, and misrepresentation and fraud claims. Having represented clients nationally, regionally, and locally, Sonia has a breadth of experience briefing and arguing dispositive and non-dispositive motions, negotiating settlements in complex matters, and trying cases both in state and federal court. Sonia’s clients most value her strong oral advocacy abilities, negotiation skills, and practical, yet innovative approach to addressing their needs.

Sonia’s skills both inside and outside of the courtroom have been recognized by her peers and adversaries alike. In 2002, Sonia was selected as one of only ten attorneys in Minnesota to be recognized as an “Up and Coming Attorney.” She was subsequently named a “Rising Star” by Minnesota Law and Politics in 2005, 2006, 2008, and a “Super Lawyer” in 2013, 2014, and 2015. And in 2007–2008, Sonia had the distinguished honor of being elected the 89th President of the Hennepin County Bar Association (one of the 15 largest county bar associations in the country), serving as the Association’s first Hispanic President and the second youngest President in its history. Sonia is currently an officer of the Minnesota State Bar Association and will be the state’s first Hispanic Bar President in 2017.

Not only is Sonia committed to her legal practice and meeting her clients’ needs, she is also committed to public service. Over the years, Sonia has provided pro bono assistance to numerous clients, including representation of parents, guardians ad litem, and children caught in foster care and custody disputes. Her commitment to community is also reflected in the variety of non-profit boards of directors on which she has served: the Hennepin County Bar Foundation, Volunteer Lawyers Network, University of Minnesota Legal Services, and the Notre Dame Club of Minnesota. Sonia also served for eight years on the School Board of the Hopkins-based Spanish-immersion public charter school, International Spanish Language Academy, serving as Chair for two years and an officer for several. Sonia feels a strong allegiance to her law school and was honored to be asked to serve on the Indiana University Alumni Board of Directors for several years, as well as the Latino Alumni Advisory Board.

Also very importantly, Sonia likes to have fun. She enjoys playing with her two children, helping her husband design cool furniture, playing competitive tennis, dancing the night away, and cheering on the Notre Dame football team.

Working for other medium-sized law firms in the Twin Cities his first eight years of practice, Towle initially litigated on behalf of owners, contractors, and developers in complex, multi-million dollar disputes, as well as smaller, residential claims. Eventually, he transitioned from a litigation practice to a transactional-based practice where he represented lenders and developers in all aspects of drafting, negotiating, closing, and administering construction and term loans; negotiating construction contracts, commercial leases, purchase agreements, 1031 exchange documents, and declarations of restrictive covenants; and due diligence review, including title and survey, environmental, and corporate compliance.

Prior to joining Sapientia, Towle had his own successful solo practice for seven years in which he continued to serve his client base in all of the above aspects of real estate transactions, negotiations, and related lending arrangements.

Towle’s unique background, including both transactional and litigation work for institutional lenders and developers, as well as small contractors and residential owners, gives him valuable insight when advising his clients. This, combined with his own experience as a business owner, reinforces and fuels Towle’s commitment to client responsiveness, creative solutions, and cost-effective service.

Represented a national bank in the $70,000,000 development of The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, a 70-tenant lifestyle shopping center located in Maple Grove, Minnesota.

Represented a national bank in a $12,300,000 construction and term loan for development of an office building in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Represented a national retail company in its receipt of $36,000,000 STAR bond funds for the construction of a 235,000 sq. ft. store at The Legends at Sparks Marina retail development in Sparks, Nevada.

Represented the owner and developer in the land purchase and development of the Autobahn Motorplex in Chanhassen, Minnesota.

Represented a lender in a $15,000,000 loan for the construction of an ethanol plant.

Represented a Twin Cities real estate group in the sales of four apartment complexes for a total of $7,600,000.

Represented the developer in the construction financing of Grant Park, a 27-story condominium tower and adjacent townhomes in downtown Minneapolis.

Represented the owner in its $2,000,000 purchase and construction of a retail space in Minneapolis.

Represented the buyer in its purchase and leasing of several office buildings in the Twin Cities metro area ranging in value from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000.

Represent a property management company in connection with its operation of several apartment communities in the Twin Cities.

Education
J.D., with distinction, University of Iowa College of Law (1999)
B.S., Dean’s List, Northwestern University (1995)

Court Admissions
State of Minnesota

PersonalFavorite Travel Spots: Laos and a secret location in the Colorado RockiesFavorite Sport: Mountain Biking. Yes, it’s a sport. Theme Song: Live Wire by Mötley CrüeFavorite Non-Profit: IFP of MinnesotaFavorite Part of Being a Lawyer: It’s a profession where having gray hair is a good thing.Little Known Fact: Directed the feature film Heart of Wilderness

Sarah Oquist

Sarah is an attorney and executive coach with Sapientia Law Group. Her unique history of experience provide her with the invaluable insight both in legal matters and in coaching and consulting.

Sarah is an attorney with more than 12 years of experience specializing in banking, commercial finance, international banking, employment and Indian law. As an attorney, Sarah’s extensive background allows her to assist corporate entities, business owners and individuals with a wide range of matters, including commercial lending, domestic and international finance and trade, contracts, and employment-related issues.

Sarah is also a certified executive coach and management consultant and works primarily in this role at Sapientia. As a consultant, Sarah works with top executives, management teams and tribal entities to enhance leadership capacity, improve accountability, and create goal-oriented action plans that accomplish results. Sarah’s diverse, extensive background and understanding of employment law make her uniquely qualified to meet her clients’ needs for organizational and management consulting services.

Sarah has been described by one CEO as “a leader who thinks strategically … and combines an out-of-the-box way of seeing things with clarity and determination toward measurable outcomes and impact.” Throughout her career, Sarah has coached numerous executives and business leaders to improve and enhance their lives in the areas of productivity, management, career satisfaction, and personal and professional development.

Sarah brings to her coaching practice a deep-seated belief in aligning the human spirit with its values to identify ways for her clients to be more energized, efficient and effective in reaching their goals, and she brings an intense, sustained focus because of her unwavering belief in the abundant capacity of the leaders with which she works. Through one-on-one coaching, Sarah helps her clients to identify their professional and personal goals and create action plans that are aligned with their core values to ensure that they realize their full potential and achieve the success they desire.

Sarah is an avid seeker of the human spirit and a strong facilitator of enjoying life to the fullest. Her coaching has been consistently described as providing a safe insightful space for clients to be seen, heard and inspired.

A former CEO herself, Sarah understands the complexity of running a company and the competing demands leaders face every day. As a skilled listener and facilitator, Sarah provides an opportunity for top executives to openly discuss challenging issues, to identify key areas for organizational growth and alignment, and to engage and focus management teams on achieving the organization’s goals and vision. Sarah’s unique experience with issues of leadership, diversity, and employment law make her an inspiring motivational speaker. Sarah also provides coach mentoring and consultation for new coaches seeking certification.

Sarah is a graduate of various leadership programs including the Coaches Training Institute’s ten-month Leadership Program and the University of Nevada Reno’s Executive Development Program in Critical Issues and Strategic Planning. Sarah serves on a number of organization boards including the Lyon College’s Board of Trustees and Executive Committee and YouthCARE. She also volunteers in many organizations including the Volunteer Lawyers Network’s employment law advice panel and the Minnesota American Indian Bar Association.

One of Sarah’s favorite quotes is by Mary Oliver:

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”

Outstanding Leadership within the University & Community Award (1999), awarded to one student from all seven Creighton University professional schools for distinguished leadership

Outstanding Service to the School of Law Award (1999), awarded by law school faculty to one student for distinguished service to the law school

Court Admissions
State of Minnesota
U.S. District Court, Minnesota

Personal
Favorite travel spot: Africa
Favorite sport: Golf
Theme Song: “Come from the Heart” by Kathy Mattea
(Previously) Little Known Fact: To date, only enrolled member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe to obtain law degree
Favorite Part of Being a Lawyer: solving problems for others so they can focus on their vocation and enjoy their lives more fully
Favorite Charity or Non-Profit: it’s difficult to choose a favorite

Jonathan A. Strauss

Jon has eighteen years of experience litigating product liability, commercial, privacy, construction, bid protest, employment, environmental, securities, and insurance matters. He has tried numerous cases, although he regularly obtains dismissal for his clients through summary judgment. As local, regional and national counsel for Fortune 500 corporations, he regularly works with litigation managers, assisting them to develop appropriate budgets for litigation. Jon has also argued and won appeals before the Minnesota and Eighth Circuit Courts of Appeal.

Jon is a highly decorated attorney. He has been named a “Rising Star” by Minnesota Law and Politics five times (2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009), named one of ten “Up and Coming Attorneys” by Minnesota Lawyer in 2002, and a Super Lawyer in 2015. In 2007, Jon also won the Raeder Larson Public Service Award for outstanding service to the public through pro bono legal work. For his pro bono efforts on behalf of individuals that had been on the I-35W bridge when it collapsed, in 2009, Jon was a recipient of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s most prestigious honor, the Professional Excellence Award, which is awarded annually to the members who have demonstrated substantial efforts to advance the legal profession and the administration of justice.

Jon’s strong belief in helping those without the means to receive adequate representation has led him to assist in several high profile pro bono matters, including freeing a death row inmate in Texas, helped several debtors through complex bankruptcy proceedings, and representing victims of the I-35W bridge collapse.

Jon is committed to improving his profession. Throughout his entire career, he has been active in the state and county bar associations, including serving as President for the Hennepin County Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the local county bar association. Jon also shared his knowledge of the law as an Adjunct Professor at William Mitchell College of Law teaching a seminar regarding product liability.

Jon likes to have lots of fun. He is an avid Packer and Badger fan, and enjoys the pain that the Wisconsin teams inflict upon us here in Minnesota. When not cheering for his teams, Jon is an avid foodie and a passionate food critic. Finally, Jon was once a juggler and magician—performing for children’s birthday parties! He does his best to sharpen those skills with his two young boys.

Reynolds v. Pennsylvania Higher Educ. Assistance Agency, 425 F.3d 526 (8th Cir. 2005), cert. denied, Educational Credit Management Corp. v. Reynolds, 127 S.Ct. 46 (2006): Won trial and two appeals resulting in discharge of debtor’s student loans. See Jonathan Strauss is Honored for Pro Bono Service. As a result of Jon’s work on this case, he was awarded the Raeder Larson Public Service Award by the Minnesota State Bar Association.

2009 recipient of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s most prestigious honor, the Professional Excellence Award, which is awarded annually to the members who have demonstrated substantial efforts to advance the legal profession and the administration of justice.

2007 recipient of the Raeder Larson Public Service Award from the Bankruptcy Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association. This award recognizes outstanding service to the public through pro bono legal services and honors the recipient’s dedication to a system providing equal justice for all.

Education
JD, Northwestern University School of Law (1997)
B.A. Phi Beta Kappa, University of Wisconsin, Madison (1994)

Court Admissions
State of Minnesota, 1997
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, 1997
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 1999
Supreme Court of the United States, 2006
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 2015

PersonalFavorite Travel Spot: Bora BoraFavorite Sport: BaseballTheme Song: “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead” by Warren Zevon(Previously) Little Known Fact: Is not really a big fan of spidersFavorite Part of Being a Lawyer: An intense oral argumentFavorite Charity or Non-profit: College PossibleFriends Describe You As: Passionate about life and loyal

Ryan Vettleson

Ryan has been litigating and trying civil cases for over 15 years. He uses his extensive litigation experience and people skills to resolve complex cases when possible, and relies on his trial experience when settlement is not an option. Either way, he uses his writing skills, honed by years of drafting briefs in complex matters and teaching legal writing, to successfully convey his clients’ positions to opposing counsel and the court.

Ryan has practiced extensively in various areas of commercial litigation, product liability, and employment litigation. He also has experience litigating civil rights matters. He has tried numerous cases to verdict both on his own and as part of a trial team. Ryan has represented varied clients from individuals to corporations to municipalities. Throughout this representation, one thing has been constant: his determination to achieve the best results possible for his clients. His drive and work ethic have been recognized by his peers as he has been named a Rising Star by Minnesota Law & Politics on five occasions.

Prior to joining Sapientia, Ryan was a partner at a litigation boutique firm. He also taught legal writing for two years at the University of Minnesota Law School. As a more junior attorney, he spent a year clerking at the Minnesota Court of Appeals. The breadth of Ryan’s legal experience, combined with his innate adaptability as a trial lawyer, are assets for his clients facing far-ranging issues.

Named a “Rising Star,” Minnesota Law & Politics, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014 & 2015
Named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers (2013)
Named to the National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 under 40 for Minnesota (2012)

Legal Writing Instructor at the University of Minnesota Law School, 2005–2006, and 2006–2007
Board Member, University of Minnesota Morris Alumni Association, 2014-Present

Education
J.D., University of Minnesota Law School (2001) Dean’s List, 1998–2001
B.A., University of Minnesota Morris,(1998) Dean’s List 1994–1998 Majors: History and English

Court Admissions
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
U.S. District Court, District of North Dakota
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
U.S. District Court, District of Wisconsin
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit

PersonalFavorite Travel Spots: SwedenFavorite Sport: Soccer (though watching NFL football is a passion)Theme Song: “Dream On” by AerosmithFavorite Non-Profit: American Cancer SocietyFavorite Part of Being a Lawyer:Trial, though since it happens infrequently, taking depositions is the next best thingLittle Known Fact: Spent childhood summers on Dead Lake

Robin Wolpert

Robin Wolpert has extensive experience in the field of political law and government ethics. As former in-house counsel for a Fortune 500 company, Robin has advised and guided participation in the political process and navigated complex regulatory environments in virtually every state in the country, including at the federal level as well. Robin has managed compliance with federal, state, and local campaign finance laws and reporting requirements; pay-to-play rules; lobbying disclosure requirements for in-house and external lobbyists; and gifts, entertainment, and travel rules. Robin understands how important it is to continually evaluate and enhance policies, processes, and training to drive best practices throughout a company to keep pace with changing legal standards and experiences in the political arena. She also understands the special challenges for government contractors and sales teams. Robin empowers corporate officers and employees to conduct themselves with the highest standards of integrity to avoid the legal and reputational risks of noncompliance. She also represented entities subject to government investigations for possible violations of state election laws.

In addition to her corporate experience counseling on political processes, Robin also has a depth of experience litigating in private practice on behalf of companies, individuals, and municipalities. She has done so at the district court level in both state and federal courts in the areas of commercial litigation, white collar criminal defense, and municipal defense.

Adding further to Robin’s comprehensive legal career, Robin also practiced in the area of appellate advocacy as a county prosecutor for approximately three years, and earned the distinction of being named one of the “2012 Attorneys of the Year” by The Minnesota Lawyer while in that role.

Robin is a member of the executive committee of the Minnesota Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board and was an ethics investigator for many years before she joined the Board. She currently serves on the Commission of Judicial Election for the State of Minnesota, as well as the Board of Directors of Minnesota CLE. As a former prosecutor, she regularly conducted training on prosecutorial ethics. She has also co-chaired and served on the campaign committees of numerous judicial candidates for statewide office in Minnesota. She completed her tenure as an officer of the Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society after serving as the Chair of that organization in 2015. Robin is currently serving as the President of the Minnesota State Bar Association and will be the Association’s 104th President during the 2016–2017 term.

Education
J.D., cum laude, Cornell Law School (2001)
Ph.D., Political Science, University of Chicago (1995) B.A., Colby College (1985)

Court Admissions
State of Minnesota
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit

PersonalFavorite Travel Spot: Langkawi, MalaysiaFavorite Sport: Downhill skiingTheme Song: Mahler 5(Previously) Little Known Fact: I am a former college professor and I love working with the next generation.Favorite Part of Being a Lawyer: Empowering my clients to achieve their goals and partnering with them to create options for success both inside and outside the legal process.Favorite Charity or Non-profit: Urban Ventures in MinneapolisFriends Describe You As: Creative and passionate about serving clients, the legal profession, and the public.

Sapientia (SAY-PEN’-CHEE-A)

Our name means “wisdom” in Latin. It embodies our conviction that there is value in learning from traditional law practices, but wisdom in adapting and improving upon those practices. We also believe the collaborative collective wisdom of our group provides extraordinary value to our clients — at no additional cost.